Drinking bottle with a twist lid

ABSTRACT

A drinking bottle includes a container and a lid. The container has a hollow interior for holding a liquid. The lid can be connected to the container so as to enclose the hollow interior. The lid has a top surface, a spout, a spout guard and a twist ring. The spout includes a drinking end and a drinking channel, and is movable between a stowed position, in which the drinking end is positioned adjacent the top surface and the drinking channel is not connected to the hollow interior of the container, and a dispensing position, in which the spout is positioned above the top surface of the lid and the drinking channel is connected to the hollow interior of the container so as to allow a user to drink the liquid from the container. The twist ring is operably connected to the spout and is selectively movable between a closed position corresponding to the stowed position of the spout, a drinking position corresponding to the dispensing position of the spout, and an open position at which the lid is disconnected from the container. The spout guard is fixedly mounted on the twist ring and partially extends above the top surface of the lid so as to partially cover the drinking end of the spout when the spout is in the stowed position. A swiping movement of the spout guard causes the twist ring to rotate between the closed position and the drinking position, and correspondingly causes the spout to move between the stowed position and the dispensing position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application and its disclosure generally relate to the field of drinking bottles with movable spouts.

Many conventional water bottles provide a spout movable from a stowed position into a dispensing position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,802 discloses a water bottle having a lid with a spout and a spout cover. The spout and the spout cover are movable in opposite directions between the stowed position and the dispensing position. The spout and the spout cover are connected to an actuating mechanism. In order to move the spout and the spout cover from the stowed position into the dispensing position, a user pushes a button of the actuating mechanism. However, the same button cannot be used by the user to return the spout and the spout cover back into the stowed position. For this, the user has to push the spout cover back into the stowed position, which, in turn, moves the spout cover into the stowed position. This is often inconvenient for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking bottle where a drinking spout can be activated, i.e., moved from a stowed position into a dispensing position, using a natural swiping movement.

A drinking bottle, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a container and a lid. The container has a hollow interior for holding a liquid. The lid can be connected to the container so as to enclose the hollow interior. The lid has a top surface, a spout, a spout guard and a twist ring. The spout includes a drinking end and a drinking channel, and is movable between a stowed position, in which the drinking end is positioned adjacent the top surface and the drinking channel is not connected to the hollow interior of the container, and a dispensing position, in which the spout is positioned above the top surface of the lid and the drinking channel is connected to the hollow interior of the container so as to allow a user to drink the liquid from the container. The twist ring is operably connected to the spout and is selectively movable between a closed position corresponding to the stowed position of the spout, a drinking position corresponding to the dispensing position of the spout, and an open position at which the lid is disconnected from the container. The spout guard is fixedly mounted on the twist ring and partially extends above the top surface of the lid so as to partially cover the drinking end of the spout when the spout is in the stowed position. A swiping movement of the spout guard causes the twist ring to rotate between the closed position and the drinking position, and correspondingly causes the spout to move between the stowed position and the dispensing position.

In one specific aspect, the drinking bottle includes a locking mechanism located on the spout guard. When the locking mechanism is locked, the twist ring is precluded from moving.

The above aspects, advantages and features are of representative embodiments only. It should be understood that they are not to be considered limitations on the invention as defined by the claims. Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of examples which are not a limitation, and the figures of the accompanying drawings in which references denote corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective left side view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a dispensing position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a dispensing position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded left side view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is exploded rear view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded front view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded side view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective left side view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a closed position

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a dispensing position.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the drinking bottle with a spout being in a closed position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is another exploded perspective view of the drinking bottle in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the attached FIGS. 1-12, a drinking bottle 10 includes a container 20 and a lid 30. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the container has a hollow interior 22 for holding a liquid and a neck 24 with a threaded outer surface 26. A corresponding inner threaded surface 36 is formed on the lid allowing the lid to be twisted onto the container so as to enclose the hollow interior.

Lid 30 preferably includes a main bottom portion 38, a twist ring 60, a spout 40 and a main top portion 42 with a top surface 32. A spout guard 50 is provided on the twist ring 60.

Spout 40 includes a drinking end 44 and a drinking channel 46 protected by top and bottom spout shells 56 and 58, respectively. Further, spout 40 is movable between a stowed (i.e., closed) position and a dispensing (i.e., open) position. In the dispensing position, spout 40 extends substantially vertically above the top surface 32, and the drinking channel 46 is fluidly connected to the hollow interior 22 of the container through an opening 48 (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) in the main bottom portion 38 so as to allow a user to drink the liquid from the container. As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, in the stowed position, the spout s folded against the top surface 32 such that its drinking end 44 is positioned adjacent to the top surface 32 and preferably behind the spout guard 50, and the drinking channel is not connected to the hollow interior of the container. Spout 40 is preferably made of soft silicone to allow the user to easily drink through the drinking channel.

Movement of the spout 40 between the dispensing and stowed positions is facilitated by the twist ring 60, which is operatively connected to the spout. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, twist ring 60 is selectively movable between three positions, i.e. a closed position corresponding to the stowed position of the spout, a drinking position corresponding to the dispensing position of the spout, and an open position at which the lid is disconnected from the container. Spout guard 50 is fixedly mounted on the twist ring 60 and partially extends above the top surface 32 so as to partially cover the drinking end 44 of the spout 40 when the spout is in the stowed position. This construction of the spout guard helps to keep the spout clean and prevents the spout from touching other objects when the spout is stowed. A swiping movement of the spout guard 50 causes the twist ring to rotate between the closed position and the drinking position, and correspondingly causes the spout to move between the stowed position and the dispensing position.

The inclination angle of the spout 40 with respect to the top surface 32 can be controlled by the turning distance of the twist ring 60. In other words, the greater the rotation of the twist ring, the greater the angle between the spout and the top surface. In the farthest dispensing position, the spout is preferably substantially perpendicular to the top surface. The silicone material of the spout also acts as a spring mechanism to assist in moving the spout into the dispensing position. The tension in the silicone created when the spout is stowed, helps to spring the spout open when the twist ring is swiped.

A lock switch 52 is provided on the lid 30. Lock switch is preferably movable between a locked position, in which the switch engages a notch 54 of the main bottom portion 38 thereby preventing the twist ring 60 from rotating, and an unlocked position, in which the switch is disengaged from the notch 54 and the twist ring is allowed to rotate. Lock switch 52 is located at the front of the lid, preferably at the spout guard. This convenient location allows the user to easily lock and unlock the lid with one hand. The user can lock the bottle for when he/she throws it into a bag or when he/she just wants to ensure that the spout does not open.

As shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, main top portion 42 of the lid 30 also includes a handle portion 70 and two side walls 72, which extend vertically from the top surface 32 and are spaced apart so as to form a cavity 74 therebetween. When spout 40 is in its stowed position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7, the spout is located at least partially within the cavity 74 and adjacent to the top surface 32. In fact, a portion of the drinking channel in this stowed position is parallel to the top surface, and a bend is created in the drinking channel, thus closing the channel and preventing any liquid from reaching the drinking end. Handle portion 70 preferably includes a loop 76 allowing a user to hold the bottle. Loop 76 can include a latch (not shown) which can hook onto other items for carrying or storage.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, an inner mechanism is utilized to activate the movement of the spout 40 in response to the movement of the twist ring 60. The inner mechanism preferably utilizes two custom gears to create the motion. A square shaft 62 is mechanically coupled to the spout 40. The shaft is preferably secured within the lid using a pair of shaft clips. A bevel gear 64 is attached to one end of the square shaft 62. The bevel gear, in turn, rests on an angled ring gear 66, which is coupled to the twist ring 60. As the user rotates the twist ring 60, the inner ring gear rotates, thereby rotating the bevel gear connected to the square shaft. The square shaft then turns moving the spout correspondingly.

A TPR textured grip is preferably provided on the twist ring 60 to allow the user to easily grip and twist the ring to open the spout. The TPR also helps to tighten and untighten the lid to the bottle. A domed silicone air flow seal 68 is preferably provided in the lid to allow air into the bottle to create ventilation necessary for drinking with a straw. Finally, a silicone ring is preferably provided within the lid to seal the bottle to the lid when screwed on.

The disclosed drinking bottle has an innovative mechanism that allows the user to open and close the bottle with a s of a finger, By simply swiping his/her thumb across the front spout guard the user can open the spout. He/she can also use two hands and twist then the entire outer lid to open and close the bottle. This motion of swiping is something that people are used to now with the age of the touch screen which makes this a natural movement.

In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof It will however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense. What is claimed is: 

1. A drinking bottle comprising: a container having a hollow interior; and a lid configured to be connected to the container and having a top surface, the lid further having a spout including a drinking end and a drinking channel, the spout being movable between a stowed position, in which the drinking end is positioned adjacent the top surface and the drinking channel is not connected to the hollow interior of the container, and a dispensing position, in which the spout is positioned above the top surface of the lid and the drinking channel is connected to the hollow interior of the container, the lid further comprising a twist ring operably connected to the spout, the twist ring being selectively movable between a closed position corresponding to the stowed position of the spout, a drinking position corresponding to the dispensing position of the spout, and an open position at which the lid is disconnected from the container, the lid further comprising a spout guard fixedly mounted on the twist ring and partially extending above the top surface of the lid so as to partially cover the drinking end of the spout when the spout is in the stowed position, wherein a swiping movement of the spout guard causes the twist ring to rotate between the closed position and the drinking position, and correspondingly causes the spout to move between the stowed position and the dispensing position.
 2. The drinking bottle according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism located on the spout guard, wherein when said locking mechanism is locked, the twist ring is precluded from moving.
 3. The drinking bottle according to claim 1, wherein said twist ring further comprises a textured grip surface.
 4. The drinking bottle according to claim 1, further comprising an inner movement mechanism activating movement of the spout n response to movement of the twist ring.
 5. The drinking bottle according to claim 4, wherein said inner movement mechanism comprises a shaft mechanically coupled to the spout, a bevel gear attached to one end of the shaft, and an angled ring gear coupled to the twist ring, wherein the bevel gear rests on the angled ring gear and, as the twist ring is rotated, the angled ring gear rotates, thereby rotating the bevel gear and turning the square shaft.
 6. The drinking bottle according to claim 5, wherein the shaft is secured within the lid with a pair of shaft clips.
 7. The drinking bottle according to claim 1, wherein said lid further comprises at least two side walls extending substantially vertically from the top surface and spaced apart so as to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein when said spout is in its stowed position the spout is located at least partially within said cavity and adjacent to said top surface. 